this is the scene live — as jets of molten lava spew from the ground. as aid agencies voice frustration on worsening conditions for civilians in gaza, the un security council prepares to vote on a new gaza ceasefire resolution. this is the scene at live in a new york where members of the city council are grappling with the language around which they can coalesce. more than a hundred people are killed in china's deadliest earthquake in 13 years. rescue efforts are being hampered by sub—zero temperatures. and the long awaited guidelines on the sensitive subject of children wanting to change gender — schools in england are told to keep parents informed hello.

welcome to bbc news now, 3 hours of fast—moving news, interviews and reaction. we begin with a dramatic volcano eruption in iceland, which is sending lava spewing hundreds of metres into the sky. let's take you straight to these live pictures from south western iceland — as the volcano continues to spew jets of molten lava from a crack in the earth that's now several kilometres long. the area is a volcanic and seismic hot—spot, not far from the capital, reykyavik. experts say the eruption could last weeks or maybe even months. this is the moment the volcano erupted late on monday, captured on webcam by the icelandic broadcaster ruv, as smoke and fiery lava lit up the night sky. and look at these pictures, caught by an eyewitness from their phone — as they were driving past the volcano.

very dramatic indeed. scientists are continuing to monitor the explosion from the air and land. they had predicted an eruption — after detecting intense seismic activity over the past few weeks — butjust didn't know exactly when it would happen. because they were predicting this more than 4000 residents of the nearest town, grindavik were already evacuated recently after a spate of earthquakes last month. the live pictures are mesmerising. i'd witness in the capital has told the bbc that half of the sky in the direction of the town was lit up in red from the eruption and that smoke could be seen billowing into the air. they do not expect the eruption to bring the same level of disruption as the one that took place a number of years ago. the eruption that took place in 2010 and

halted european air travel for quite some time and caused a huge amount of disruption to air travel over europe and the transatlantic air travel, the icelandic met office said that over 1230 am said the power of the eruption was in fact decreasing but the gases from the volcano could still be felt in a wreck of it on tuesday evening. we have also heard from another local person who is who could see the interruption from her home it was crazy to see it felt with her own eyes. we have had volcanic eruptions before but this was the first time she was really scared. she was used to volcanoes but this was crazy and this there were some panic on monday night she had some emergency supplies are waiting for things to return to normal. so we have some predictions of even months and we

are hoping to listen to an volcanic expert in iceland who is expert on the situation. at least 126 people have died after an earthquake struck north—western china. the epicentre of the quake was in the remote gansu province. tremors were also felt in the neighbouring ching—high region. a second magnitude 5.2 quake struck neighbouring qinghai hours later on tuesday. these are the latest pictures showing the destruction and collapsed buildings in gansu province. rescuers are braving freezing weather — with temperatures below minus 13 celsius — to search for survivors. the government has dispatched teams of rescue workers to assist local emergency crews. 0ur correspondent laura bicker sent us this report. the only warning was a low rumble. for the strong shallow quake turned village homes into rubble. bedrooms

of small brick houses crumbled and people were buried as they slept. hundreds of rescue workers into remote provinces that spent the night digging to find survivors. knowing the first few hours of any earthquake are critical to save lives. some were pulled from the debris. more than 500 people were taken to hospital. this commander told the media that his teams had rescued 60 people from the rubble in the worst hit province of gansu. those who managed to flee their homes did their best to huddle together and keep warm in freezing temperatures. the bbc was sent this video from a member of the local music community who told us that 50 people died in his village. he said that the scenes were heart—wrenching, too tragic to look

at. china's response has been swift. hundreds of people who now need shelter across villages scattered across the tibetan plateau while at the country is experiencing one of its coldest winters in decades. rescuers said the temperatures were difficult to endure. while some people are still missing they are determined to keep going. bbc news, beijing. international pressure is growing for israel to ease its military campaign in gaza. this is the scene live looking into gaza from israel. —— this isn't the scene we were being that you later. this is the scene from the un security council. calling for "an urgent cessation of hostilities in the they are territory, and the release of all israeli hostages. " we've heard the vote has been delayed and diplomats are unclear when it will happen — they say the text is still being changed.

the 15 members all say they want the fighting in gaza to end. but there are disagreements about the conditions under which it should do so. meanwhile, the hamas —run health ministry in gaza says at least 20 people were killed in the latest attack on rafah in the south, and 13 more killed injabalia refugee camp in the north. aid agencies continue to warn of the dire conditions faced by the more than two million people trapped in the beseiged territory. we spoke earlier with doctor margaret harris spokesperson for the world health organization who says that the humanitarian and health crisis in gaza is a diet. nowhere is safe. crisis in gaza is a diet. nowhere is safe- those _ crisis in gaza is a diet. nowhere is safe. those who _ crisis in gaza is a diet. nowhere is safe. those who are _ crisis in gaza is a diet. nowhere is safe. those who are not _ crisis in gaza is a diet. nowhere is safe. those who are not being - crisis in gaza is a diet. nowhere is i safe. those who are not being killed by the bombs are now at risk of dying in the shelters from the diseases or the lack of health care. 0r from starvation. the diseases or the lack of health care. 0rfrom starvation. the food programme had been doing surveys and found that most people are going to bed without food, going to bed hungry, not knowing where their get food from and even the patient�*s my colleagues are seeing in hospitals

who... who don't have any pain relief because the supplies are so little. they are asking for pain relief they are asking for water. we have seen more than 1100 cases. the testing we would have done was at al—shifa hospital and as you know thatis al—shifa hospital and as you know that is hardly functioning. al-shifa hospital and as you know that is hardly functioning.- that is hardly functioning. joining me now is israel's _ that is hardly functioning. joining me now is israel's former - that is hardly functioning. joining - me now is israel's former ambassador to the united nations. bank you for being with us. what do you understand is happening now in terms of the wording that is yet to be agreed? what you think you could say? agreed? what you think you could sa ? ~ . , ., ., agreed? what you think you could sa ?~ ., ., ., ., agreed? what you think you could sa ? ~ ., ., ., ., ., say? well, as of now, we follow what is happening — say? well, as of now, we follow what is happening in _ say? well, as of now, we follow what is happening in the _ say? well, as of now, we follow what is happening in the security _ is happening in the security council, from the negotiation over the language between the us and the uae. we are following that but we are following more carefully what is happening on the ground. 0urforces

are still in the middle of operations hunting down hamas. we will do endeavour to continue. the us visited israel yesterday and heard very clearly about our goals in the operation and our intention is to complete the job at this time. as you say, israel is determined to continue in the face of increasing growing criticism from around the world. what impact, if any, with this un resolution have? especially if the un either potentially approves, orthe if the un either potentially approves, or the us approves this resolution or perhaps stand by and let it go ahead? indie resolution or perhaps stand by and let it go ahead?— resolution or perhaps stand by and let it go ahead? we will have to see the language _ let it go ahead? we will have to see the language of— let it go ahead? we will have to see the language of the _ let it go ahead? we will have to see the language of the motion - let it go ahead? we will have to see the language of the motion but - let it go ahead? we will have to see the language of the motion but we i let it go ahead? we will have to see l the language of the motion but we we have to ask about our humanitarian needs and our humanitarian issues. we know that hamas is not allowing

even the red cross to visit the hostage even 70 days after they kidnapped them. i do not know the influence of the resolution will have on the hamas organisation. we find that... we are being expected to go and to walk according to the guidelines of the un but no one is asking what about hamas? what about the expectation from him us. what about those expectations? what the expectation from him us. what about those expectations?- about those expectations? what is our about those expectations? what is your expressed — about those expectations? what is your expressed expectation? - about those expectations? what is| your expressed expectation? when about those expectations? what is i your expressed expectation? when it comes to hamas we saw doha very involved in the hostage release negotiations. we know that the head of hamas �*s negotiations need to intervene? in of hamas 's negotiations need to intervene?— intervene? in die or eat it in the us regarding — intervene? in die or eat it in the us regarding the _ intervene? in die or eat it in the us regarding the red _ intervene? in die or eat it in the us regarding the red cross - intervene? in die or eat it in the us regarding the red cross the| us regarding the red cross the people in captivity... we spoke with

many of those who came back and we learned from them and their testimony that... what they had to go through. what they had to go through in the tunnels of hamas so we expect the international community to not only speak about the hostages but to take action about those who were taken from their homes over 70 days ago. you certainly do _ their homes over 70 days ago. you certainly do that _ their homes over 70 days ago. you certainly do that he had at from the us, they have spoken very openly. what do you see as the future for further? what do you see as an acceptable solution in israel's mind. what will it take for them to say that has to happen? what will happen next in gaza. the say that has to happen? what will happen next in gaza.— happen next in gaza. the plan for the day after _ happen next in gaza. the plan for the day after after _ happen next in gaza. the plan for

the day after after we _ happen next in gaza. the plan for the day after after we accomplish | the day after after we accomplish the day after after we accomplish the goals, we have to look at the situation in gaza from both perspectives. we need to build a future for the people of gaza who have been living under the occupation of hamas for 18 years and basically we intend to make sure that terror cannot take over. we expect the international community to be involved in the reconstruction of gaza by not only spending money but also that we uproot the culture of hate. the uk, the us did this with nazi germany in 1945. like 1945 we have to denazify gaza. it took about five or six years back then, i think it's a longer operation but we have to start to speak about making gaza a place where people can live peacefully and safely and where

hamas does not exist any more. thank ou ve hamas does not exist any more. thank you very much — hamas does not exist any more. thank you very much for _ hamas does not exist any more. thank you very much forjoining _ hamas does not exist any more. thank you very much forjoining us. _ live now to our north america correspondent nada tawfik who's in new york. good to see what's the latest from you in battle to hearing that this was resolution?— you in battle to hearing that this was resolution? negotiations are still on going _ was resolution? negotiations are still on going to _ was resolution? negotiations are still on going to get _ was resolution? negotiations are still on going to get the - was resolution? negotiations are still on going to get the wording | was resolution? negotiations are. still on going to get the wording in a place that could avoid a us veto in the security council so as you can imagine the situation is very fluid. although they are hoping to have a vote later on this afternoon and the current wording changes the language from calling for an urgent cessation of hostilities to a suspension of hostilities although it also does include language that calls for urgent steps towards a cessation of hostilities. in this resolution, it does not call out right for a ceasefire as many have

demanded from the un, 153 nations in the general assembly. but it is stronger language than the last security council resolution, which simply called for humanitarian pauses. simply called for humanitarian auses. ~ ., ., pauses. whatever the vote in the un, any resolution — pauses. whatever the vote in the un, any resolution there _ pauses. whatever the vote in the un, any resolution there is _ pauses. whatever the vote in the un, any resolution there is not _ pauses. whatever the vote in the un, any resolution there is not actually i any resolution there is not actually binding, is it? it won't impact on what israel is doing necessarily so what israel is doing necessarily so what is the hope from the un as to what is the hope from the un as to what they will achieve by this? i think it is very important to note that while the general assembly resolutions are not binding the security council is the main lawmaking body of the un and they are resolutions are binding. that said, many have ignored a in the past and israel itself has been accused of violating un resolutions on illegal settlements, for example, but resolutions are binding. now, whether or not this is invented on the ground, as you say, is a

separate question stop we have heard israel in that interview saying they are opposed to a ceasefire and it would only benefit hamas. let us know with any — would only benefit hamas. let us know with any mode _ would only benefit hamas. let us know with any mode of— would only benefit hamas. let us know with any mode of elements| would only benefit hamas. let us - know with any mode of elements from there. around the world and across there. around the world and across the uk this is bbc news. let's take a look at some of the stories at from the uk now. the housing secretary announces a pledge to intervene if there have been delays to house building as a result of poor performance among planning teams. michael gove says that he will call out local authorities that are �*dragging their feet�* when it comes to processing housing applications. the scottish government has announced a new tax band for higher earners their new pet tax band will be introduced for people earning £75,000 to £125,000, meaning that they will pay more tax than they currently do. a woman and her child were shaken but unhurt when a car veered off the road and flipped on

its side right in front of them. west midlands police say the crash happened in solihull at around 4pm on saturday. a woman driving the car suffered cuts and a force saa investigation is under way but incredibly the mother and child, just satisfy at a site by that car escaped safe and unhurt. you are live on bbc news. in the uk, long—awaited guidance for schools in england about children who are questioning their gender has been published by the government — and it says that parents should be informed in all cases — and that schools should not accept all requests for change made by pupils. the guidance focuses on what's called social transitioning — for example when children want to change their names, uniform, or the use of pronouns such as he and she. it also urges schools to preserve single—sex toilets and changing rooms. with more, here's our identity correspondent, lauren moss.

my my name is caleb and my pronouns are he and him. you don't want to transit being at the forefront of your mind every time you get to school. supporting transgender pupils like caleb can be a tricky subject that teachers have been navigating for years. it's something he feels his teachers got wrong. we never really got to the conversation of, "i want to change my pronouns," because it was just met with so much resistance, when i said to them, you know, "i am questioning my gender identity," and itjust didn't feel like a safe and supportive environment for me to then be able to have that conversation and continue going to school. so, you know, they didn't have any prewritten policies where they could go, "this is what we have done beforehand," they didn't have that. today, though, afterfive years, the government has published guidance. it says teachers don't have to allow pupils to socially transition — which can mean changing their name, pronouns or uniform. the guidance also says teachers should always inform parents, except in rare circumstances where a child could be at risk of harm. there is no general duty

to socially transition a child. a lot of schools think this is something they have to do, or should be doing, and we are making clear what the law says, and what they should do where they are uncertain about how to handle the situation. teachers in england are advised to act with extreme caution, especially in the case of primary school pupils, following concerns that if children do socially transition, it could lead to them making permanent changes later in life. the guidance also says there should be single—sex toilets and changing rooms, and some sports should be separated based on a child's birth sex. teaching unions have welcomed the guidance, but say they need to examine the detail. we think that what the guidance is doing is giving enough leeway that you make sure you are balancing the safeguarding of the child with the right of the parent to be informed. we need to look at the detail of that, but in general my first reaction is it feels pretty positive. staff and pupils will not be compelled to observe a child's name

and preferred pronouns, but the department for education says bullying is never tolerated. scotland and northern ireland already have guidance, wales will consult on it next year. the guidance for england, which won't be compulsory, will go out for a 12—week consultation, where teachers and parents can have their say before it is finalised next year. lauren moss, bbc news. some breaking news now former colleagues at scottish news. scottish ministers will abandon legal action over the uk veto over changes to gender laws. the court ruled earlier this that the estate to back the scottish government gender recognition reform bill, the bill which had sought to make it easierfor people to bill which had sought to make it easier for people to make their transition from their legal sex easier... transition from their legal sex easier. . . transition from their legal sex easier... ., , transition from their legal sex easier... , easier... the scottish government has been approached _

easier... the scottish government has been approached for - easier... the scottish governmentj has been approached for comment easier... the scottish government - has been approached for comment but we haven't heard anything back yet. we go live to iceland now. this was expected wasn't it this interruption on the cards? just give us a more detail about this volcano and whitehead has erupted now and the scale of the eruption? it whitehead has erupted now and the scale of the eruption?— scale of the eruption? it was not unexpected _ scale of the eruption? it was not unexpected but _ scale of the eruption? it was not unexpected but it _ scale of the eruption? it was not unexpected but it was _ scale of the eruption? it was not unexpected but it was not - scale of the eruption? it was not unexpected but it was not clear. unexpected but it was not clear whether it would happen or whether it would die out. it is on the reykjanes peninsula not farfrom reykjavik but it is not affecting the airport there. it is an explosive eruption. it has been accumulating under this area for a while and we have had three relatively small eruptions in the

last three years. we had this very dramatic event six weeks ago when a large intuition, a bike formed in this area and under the town of grindavik so grindavik had to be evacuated. the residents have not been allowed to stay there afterwards. after that event, the land was also lifting and last night it relatively quietly broke and came up it relatively quietly broke and came up through this bike and formed this rather large eruption, which is now ongoing. since we are having this eruption it is located relatively favourably because the lava is not directly threatening any infrastructure or buildings or inhabited area. not yet but what may happen in the next few days is

another issue but the eruption rate is declining as we often see in an eruption like this so you hope for the best but this is quite a testing time for the people in this area. it did seem to come as there was a lot of volcanic after it does make how do you measure the eruption? as we come to the volcanic map of the lava flow as it directs towards land as before and that gives us the rates of how much change has happened, how much it has erupted. this is what we have used in last eruptions quite successfully. today, conditions are not allowed flying because there

is... there is not good enough visibility and whether so we are making estimates based on how fast the lava is spreading and also the length of the fisher and on the basis of that and when it started it was possibly ten times more powerful than the ones we have seen previously on the peninsular. having said that, those events were very... pretty, what we can call tourist friendly and quite far away from inhabited areas so they have been very... not been causing damage. this was in a more inconvenient place. since it is happening, it could not be better placed even though it is not a good place generally. if it was happening somewhere in the middle of the highlands we would not worry at all. professor, is it possible to tell

how long it will go on for? will it be safe for people to return? this eru tion be safe for people to return? this eruption is _ be safe for people to return? this eruption is not _ be safe for people to return? this eruption is not as _ be safe for people to return? try 3 eruption is not as powerful as it was last night but it is still sizeable and we have no idea how long it will go on. if you look at the past history of this area, and medium size lava flows, they cover something like ten kilometres or 20 kilometres, some of them. so, this could stop after a few days or as in the last lava flow it could go on for weeks or something substantially bigger. as we saw some years ago. time will tell, wejust bigger. as we saw some years ago. time will tell, we just have to follow what is going on and respond as best as possible. just follow what is going on and respond as best as possible.— as best as possible. just briefly, how lona as best as possible. just briefly, how long does _ as best as possible. just briefly, how long does it _ as best as possible. just briefly, how long does it have _ as best as possible. just briefly, how long does it have to be - how long does it have to be quietened down for before people will be allowed back in? that

quietened down for before people will be allowed back in?— will be allowed back in? that is alwa s a will be allowed back in? that is always a difficult _ will be allowed back in? that is always a difficult question, - will be allowed back in? that is. always a difficult question, when will that moment be? given the short notice time that this eruption cut... that we had with this event... i would say, it is not until this eruption is finished and there is no uplift going on... then there is no uplift going on... then the time is right to let people go back to the town of grindavik. so, while the eruption is ongoing we do not see that happening. thank while the eruption is ongoing we do not see that happening.— not see that happening. thank you ve much not see that happening. thank you very much for— not see that happening. thank you very much for being _ not see that happening. thank you very much for being with _ not see that happening. thank you very much for being with us - not see that happening. thank you very much for being with us and i very much for being with us and taking through what is going there in iceland. you can keep a those that live pictures on bbc news website page. we have those live pictures and we are keeping them up there for you. stay with us on bbc news. it has been a wet day for many

parts of the uk millimetres of rain falling in the brecon beacons and over the moors of the south west of england. and for a while we had this shield of cloud across england and wales, but that cloud and the rain is continuing to push away south east. it's clearing the south east eventually early this evening and, following that, we've got some cooler air. we've got westerly winds bringing clearer spells and some showers. so those showers will continue overnight. and again, they could be a touch wintry over the mountain tops in scotland later in the night. some cloud will come in from the atlantic, bringing some rain to northern ireland and western scotland, but a bit chilly overnight in the northeast of scotland. and typical temperatures elsewhere will be around six or seven degrees heading into wednesday. and we're going to find that cloud increasing through the day. some outbreaks of rain mainly for the northern half of the uk and most of the rain probably over the hills in the west where it's going to be quite misty and murky as well. but it's milder air that's heading our way on wednesday. temperatures typically ten or 11 degrees. i think it's going to be turning out to be quite a windy

day on wednesday. there are stronger winds, though, to come overnight and into thursday. the winds will be strengthening and that brings the risk of some travel disruption as well. the reason we've got stronger winds overnight and into thursday is because that deep area of low pressure is going to run to the north of scotland and then head into scandinavia. and we've got the really strong winds wrapped around the low. so for many parts of the country on thursday, the winds will be gusting 50 or 60 mph, but those winds could be touching 80 mph in northern scotland, particularly for the northern isles. and it's going to be a day of sunshine and showers in scotland. again, that could be wintry over the hills of scotland, some sunshine and showers further south, although wales and southern england could stick into cloudy air with a little rain from time to time. temperatures here may reach 13 degrees, but it's going to be colder out further north, only six in the north east of scotland. now our area of low pressure is going to head away into scandinavia and that's going to draw down this storm surge on thursday night. some big waves and rough seas

and even the risk of some coastal flooding around some north sea coasts. at least, though, we are not seeing spring tides — that would make things much worse. the winds will tend to ease during friday. we're still in chillier air with some sunshine and some showers before milder air arrives later on. good morning, come and have a seat. of course, i'm not going to go easy of course, i'm not going to go easy on you there are some really big questions.

this is bbc news. the headlines:

a volcano erupts in a peninsula in iceland after weeks of the seismic activity. this is the scene live there as jets of molten lava continue to spew from the ground. the spewing has declined though since the beginning of the eruption. as aid agencies voiced disruption on worsening conditions for civilians in gaza, the un security council prepares to vote on a new gaza ceasefire resolution. the british prime minister faces one final grilling from mps before christmas as he appears before the liaison committee of senior mps. time for a full round—up from the bbc sport centre. hello from the bbc sport centre. we start with some breaking news in the last few minutes in the english premier league — nottingham forest have sacked

manager steve cooper. the club are 17th in the table, five points ahead